Don’t you just hate it when students forget basic key skills? Especially those at the higher end of Year 11 or studying A-Level, who should have a better core knowledge. What if there was a magic tool which began to address this issue?

Skills required

• Comparing fractions
• Trigonometric ratios
• Simplifying surds
• Rationalising surds
• Pythagoras

Equipment

You will not need:

• Worksheet
• Powerpoint
• Printer
• Laminator
• Calculator

Magic Tool

• One board, with pen

Activity

Quite simply draw the four diagrams below on the board and ask the following questions:

1. Which has the largest sine ratio: A or B?
2. Which has the largest cosine ratio: C or D?
3. Which has the smallest tangent ratio: A, B, C or D?
4. Extension: Calculate the missing angles and areas (Calculator allowed)

It takes moments to draw the questions on the board, but the discussion can take some time and addresses several basic skills. You can change the numbers to adjust the level of challenge.